Sonal Dinusha leads Sri Lanka’s great escape as India’s spinners falter in Colombo
· Yahoo Sports
When was the last time a batter neutralised India’s spinners in a Test series with such authority?
Cramping, exhausted but unrelenting, Sonal Dinusha announced himself on the world stage in style, scoring an unbeaten 133 off 264 balls and combining with Sri Lanka’s dogged tail to script a sensational draw in the second Test at the SSC on Thursday.
The 25-year-old left-hander, with his father applauding from the stands, registered his third century of the series and second in the match as Sri Lanka batted through the entire fifth day to deny India victory after being forced to follow on. It was a stirring display that once again highlighted the enduring romance and uncertainty of Test cricket.
After scores of 100 and 84 in Galle and 101 and 133* in Colombo, Dinusha finished as the leading run-scorer of the series with 420 runs at 140.
The draw allowed India to clinch the series 1-0, but it hurt their chances of reaching the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final. They now face the difficult task of winning five of their remaining seven Tests.
“Test cricket won today,” India captain Shubman Gill remarked. That sounded like a platitude for Indian fans as they head into a challenging stretch of the WTC cycle with plenty to ponder. Sri Lanka’s escape evoked memories of Pakistan’s remarkable rear-guard in Mohali in 2005, when Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq frustrated India on the final day to save a Test that appeared all but lost.
India’s disappointment will centre largely around their spin attack. While left-arm spinner Manav Suthar impressed with 3/121 in 41 overs and ended the series with 16 wickets at 21.06, the others failed to deliver decisive blows on a fifth-day surface.
Ravindra Jadeja claimed 3/94 but struggled to contain Dinusha, who repeatedly blunted India’s primary weapon. The veteran left-armer took eight wickets at 33.37 across the two Tests, modest returns by his lofty standards.
Off-spinner Saransh Jain’s Test debut was equally underwhelming. After taking 2/69 in the first innings, he managed just 1/98 from 37 overs in the second. His selection ahead of the unavailable Kuldeep Yadav is certain to trigger scrutiny.
When the players shook hands, Sri Lanka were 429/9 after batting 154 overs in their second innings. In an era when Tests often end inside four days, it was a classic exhibition of patience, technique and determination.
Credit must also go to Sri Lanka’s curators, whose pitches ensured both Tests went the distance and produced compelling cricket. India appeared firmly on course for victory after securing a first-innings lead of 213 and enforcing the follow-on. Having won the first Test in Galle by 165 runs, they expected a repeat. Dinusha, however, had other ideas.
The left-hander was the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s resistance, but the lower order played an equally vital role. Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha (46 off 150 balls) added 112 for the seventh wicket, consuming 246 deliveries and 174 minutes. Even after Nuwantha fell to a sharply turning delivery from Suthar shortly after lunch, Sri Lanka’s resolve remained unbroken.
Lahiru Kumara then contributed a priceless 12 from 90 balls in a ninth-wicket stand worth 47 runs from 170 deliveries. Last man Asith Fernando blocked 24 balls without scoring as India grew increasingly frustrated.
Resuming on 229 for six, Sri Lanka steadily wore down the visitors. Despite obvious cramps, Dinusha remained focused on survival, reaching his century before guiding the tail through the closing stages.
By tea, Sri Lanka were 383 for eight and firmly in control of the contest.
Cramping, exhausted but unrelenting, Sonal Dinusha announced himself on the world stage in style, scoring an unbeaten 133 off 264 balls and combining with Sri Lanka’s dogged tail to script a sensational draw in the second Test at the SSC on Thursday.
The 25-year-old left-hander, with his father applauding from the stands, registered his third century of the series and second in the match as Sri Lanka batted through the entire fifth day to deny India victory after being forced to follow on. It was a stirring display that once again highlighted the enduring romance and uncertainty of Test cricket.
After scores of 100 and 84 in Galle and 101 and 133* in Colombo, Dinusha finished as the leading run-scorer of the series with 420 runs at 140.
The draw allowed India to clinch the series 1-0, but it hurt their chances of reaching the 2027 World Test Championship (WTC) final. They now face the difficult task of winning five of their remaining seven Tests.
“Test cricket won today,” India captain Shubman Gill remarked. That sounded like a platitude for Indian fans as they head into a challenging stretch of the WTC cycle with plenty to ponder. Sri Lanka’s escape evoked memories of Pakistan’s remarkable rear-guard in Mohali in 2005, when Kamran Akmal and Abdul Razzaq frustrated India on the final day to save a Test that appeared all but lost.
India’s disappointment will centre largely around their spin attack. While left-arm spinner Manav Suthar impressed with 3/121 in 41 overs and ended the series with 16 wickets at 21.06, the others failed to deliver decisive blows on a fifth-day surface.
Ravindra Jadeja claimed 3/94 but struggled to contain Dinusha, who repeatedly blunted India’s primary weapon. The veteran left-armer took eight wickets at 33.37 across the two Tests, modest returns by his lofty standards.
Off-spinner Saransh Jain’s Test debut was equally underwhelming. After taking 2/69 in the first innings, he managed just 1/98 from 37 overs in the second. His selection ahead of the unavailable Kuldeep Yadav is certain to trigger scrutiny.
When the players shook hands, Sri Lanka were 429/9 after batting 154 overs in their second innings. In an era when Tests often end inside four days, it was a classic exhibition of patience, technique and determination.
Credit must also go to Sri Lanka’s curators, whose pitches ensured both Tests went the distance and produced compelling cricket. India appeared firmly on course for victory after securing a first-innings lead of 213 and enforcing the follow-on. Having won the first Test in Galle by 165 runs, they expected a repeat. Dinusha, however, had other ideas.
The left-hander was the bedrock of Sri Lanka’s resistance, but the lower order played an equally vital role. Dinusha and Keshara Nuwantha (46 off 150 balls) added 112 for the seventh wicket, consuming 246 deliveries and 174 minutes. Even after Nuwantha fell to a sharply turning delivery from Suthar shortly after lunch, Sri Lanka’s resolve remained unbroken.
Lahiru Kumara then contributed a priceless 12 from 90 balls in a ninth-wicket stand worth 47 runs from 170 deliveries. Last man Asith Fernando blocked 24 balls without scoring as India grew increasingly frustrated.
Resuming on 229 for six, Sri Lanka steadily wore down the visitors. Despite obvious cramps, Dinusha remained focused on survival, reaching his century before guiding the tail through the closing stages.
By tea, Sri Lanka were 383 for eight and firmly in control of the contest.
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